Dracula (1931)

During the Halloween season of 2012, I got to see this classic film digitally restored on the big screen. The restoration is amazing by the way. This is one of the most influential vampire movies ever made and consequently an important film for Universal.

I am grateful for the use of Tchaikovsky during the opening credits. It establishes an important ominous mood. In film history, there are two quintessential vampires that have influence pop culture. The first is Nosferatu from a silent German expressionist movie as portrayed by Max Schreck. That movie was an unauthorized adaptation of the original novel, hence the use of "Nosferatu" instead of "vampire". The second quintessential vampire is performed by Bela Lugosi in this film version. "Nosferatu" showed the financial potential of a Hollywood Dracula and you can see some references to the German version in this Universal film. Lugosi's use of his hands in some moments resembles Schreck's performance. The bleeding finger scene was also copied from "Nosferatu". I like the nice touch having Dracula as the coachman that takes Renfield to the castle. The important elements that distinguish this vampire from Nosferatu are Lugosi's voice and costume. Even up to the present day, Count Dracula's accent is automatically a mimic of Lugosi's performance and the costume has also remained standard. Unlike Nosferatu, Dracula is handsome. Many of Dracula's opening lines have remained a part of pop culture such as "I bid you welcome" and "Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." The latter is on the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotes at #83. I love how Dracula walks through cobwebs without breaking them. Even today, you are not expecting it when it happens. Later in the movie I love the ironic lines, "What could have caused them, professor?" and "Count Dracula" as Dracula is introduced into the room. The love the scene when Van Helsing notices that the Count has no reflection because the editing is so well done. The confrontation between Dracula and Van Helsing a few scenes later is another great moment because of the acting.

At first, the producer was going to cast Lon Chaney as Dracula. I remember seeing a clip of Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera in the silent version and it made my heart jump. I wonder what he would have done to the role. Bela Lugosi was the Count on Broadway and had to work hard to get the film part while touring in L. A. His eyes are my favorite part of his performance. I love how Dwight Frye as Renfield was able to act ignorant at the start of the film and then crazy for the rest. It is a great work of contrast. Also noteworthy in their acting are Edward Van Sloan and Charles K. Gerrard. While reading about the making of this film, I made an interesting discovery but first a little lesson. In filmmaking, foley is the process by which sound effects are recorded during post-production. A foley artist watches the action on a screen and records a variety of sound effects to match it. Jack Foley, who did the sound for "Dracula", invented the process. A reason why some parts of the movie have cheesy special effects is because this movie is based on a play. I agree with others that the actors' performances resemble silent movies but I don't mind that. The Great Depression limited the budget but this may have helped the production by focusing the audience's attention on the performances

"Dracula" is on more AFI lists such as for thrilling movies at #85 and villains at #33. This was the first horror film from Universal and it wouldn't be the last because the studio did much to influence the horror genre in later years. Bela Lugosi did so well that he was forever typecast afterward. Ironically, his name is forgotten by the general public but not in the least his performance.

3.5 Stars